My first year with Morecambe Bay Wills
Jane has been with us now for the last 12 months! Here is her reflection on everything that’s happened since she joined us …
November and December
Having known Nicola for a while when the opportunity arose I decided to see what being an Estate planner would be like. Having been a solicitor for over 25 years I had sworn off all things legal. However, I really liked the ethos and values of Morecambe Bay Wills, and so spent a couple of months meeting the team and shadowing Nicola and Andrea when they were out and about seeing clients.
I loved the care and attention they showed to their clients but also realised I really missed the satisfaction of helping people solve their problems – especially ones they didn’t even know they had!
My plan was to take the official exams in the Christmas break – not realising that each module had an assignment at the end you had to pass before they let you move on. No problem doing the work but over Christmas the assignment markers weren’t working and so I had to cool my heels.
January
All guns blazing to complete the online course. The intensity of it took me by surprise – surely as a solicitor with over 25 years’ experience this should have been a breeze! Mind you the course was nothing compared to the exams. The depth of knowledge expected was high – I can now say is a testimony as to how well a member of the Society of Will Writers is educated and trained. At the time of doing the exams there was more swearing about them, then praising them.
Roles were reveresed and instead of me watching my colleagues’ appointments, they watched me! Checking I was ready to be let loose on our most important asset – our clients.d
February
I was let loose! The appointments were the easy bit. It was great to spend time with so many different people. I found it harder drafting and redrafting and getting used to our systems and procedures. I discovered how high our standards were as nothing leaves our offices without a second and sometimes a third check by another member of the team.
I also attended my first Morecambe Bay Wills photo shoot with all the team members. We had much laughter, and a certain team member took great delight at trying to put the individual shoots off by flashing to make them laugh loudly – because we were all trying to do our best Kate Moss pose.
Technology was not my friend – as I had so much to learn in terms of how our systems technically worked. I discovered Nicola had an abundance of patience and technical advice.
Andrea celebrated a year of being with Morecambe Bay Wills. I could see how much she loved doing the job she did, and her enthusiasm was a real incentive to plough on.
March
Morecambe Bay Wills celebrated being 3. If you don’t know why Nicola founded the company then read our website. It truly is an inspirational story.
We had fun attending an event at Morecambe football ground promoting the company. Lots of interest out there for information and advice.
A great month for me as notified I’d passed my exams :)
April
I had to take a step back for a while and process the sudden loss of a client. One of the first ones I’d seen. Even though he was on end-of-life care, he wasn’t expected to go so soon. Huge range of emotions around the event – especially as I’d met his daughter who would now have to deal with everything.
In other big news we moved into our new offices! We had a fun weekend together building furniture and deciding where it all went.
May
Great news for Morecambe Bay Wills – finalists in 3 categories of the North West Family Business Awards. For a small new company this was a really outstanding achievement.
I spent May learning my way round the streets of Morecambe and its stunning coastline.
Had a great team lunch out with no work talk allowed. Realised this was definitely the right company to work with.
Personally, I had a quick trip south for a family gathering as a member of the Booker clan was back from Oz with her young children. As the youngest of 6 siblings, I loved seeing all the generations of us gathered together.
June and July
Holiday season for clients and myself meant there was a lot of people wanting Wills signed off before they flew off to warmer climes. I only work part time at the Estate planning as I have another job I also love, but trying to fit both jobs in, with client’s working days meant evenings being given up so that all our clients could travel in peace.
August
Holiday time for me – catching up with my offspring home from Uni
September
A busy month. Morecambe Bay Wills was shortlisted for Will Writing Firm of the Year (North/Midlands) at the upcoming British Wills & Probate Awards. We also hit a first with a 100k turnover.
I attended more training courses, including one covering Assessing Mental Capacity.
October
Highlight was attending our annual conference. Education and fun were had, and I was amazed by how friendly and generous other companies were with their knowledge and information.
“Dementia Friendly” training, and marketing and Christmas planning meetings attended.
Success at the British Wills & Probate Awards! We were highly commended in our category. We chose to watch the awards as a complete team in the office – with a few nibbles, some fizz and our families. We didn’t want anyone in the team to miss out., and we wanted to celebrate our success together. Those in the office are as important and essential as those that go out to see our clients..
My first year with Morecambe Bay Wills – in summary
In a year I have gained over 100 clients of various ages and abilities. I’ve seen widowed ladies of 80 still enjoying their life to the full with yoga and girls days out. I’ve seen young families ensure their future is protected by planning their Wills with them. I’ve driven 100’s of miles doing a job I love. Perhaps not a wise move to take on extra miles at a time when the cost of petrol shot up but helping so many has been good for my own feelings of self-worth and esteem.
I’m so proud to be part of such a team. The team that has given over £8000 to CancerCare because we are committed to give 5% of every bill to them. The team that is always laughing and joking but looking out for each other. The team that is led by such a kind and inspirational woman in Nicola.
We will never be millionaires writing Wills and Powers of Attorney, but we are, as a company rich beyond measure in how we care and support our community.
I owe the whole team a lot for how they have welcomed me into their fold and made me part of the Morecambe Bay Wills family.